External defibrillator electrode, method and system for reducing ECG artifact

Abstract

An electrode for use with an external defibrillator for a patient includes a first combination circuit including a circuit node electrically coupled to an adapter for coupling to the defibrillator. The circuit node is further coupled to a monitoring node defined by a monitoring segment of a first pad of the electrode and to a therapy node defined by a therapy segment of the first pad of the electrode. The therapy segment is electrically insulated from the monitoring segment. The first combination circuit further includes a capacitor coupled between the circuit node and the therapy node. The electrode of this disclosure hence provides additional solutions for reducing ECG artifact during the operation of the electrode.

We claim: 
     
       1. An electrode for use with an external defibrillator for a patient, comprising:
 a first pad including a monitoring segment for receiving an ECG of the patient and defining a monitoring node, the first pad further including a therapy segment for delivering a charge to the patient from the defibrillator, the therapy segment electrically insulated from the monitoring segment, the therapy segment defining a therapy node; 
 an adapter for coupling to the defibrillator; and 
 a first combination circuit including a circuit node electrically coupled to the adapter, the circuit node further coupled to the monitoring node and to the therapy node, the coupling to the therapy node including a capacitor; and 
 a wire lead connected between the circuit node of the first combination circuit and the adaptor, the wire lead providing a single communication channel between the defibrillator and the electrode for transmission of both the ECG of the patient from the monitoring segment and the charge from the defibrillator to the therapy segment. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrode of  claim 1 :
 wherein the first combination circuit further comprises a resistor connected between the circuit node and the monitoring node for limiting current flow to the circuit node. 
 
     
     
       3. The electrode of  claim 1 :
 wherein the first combination circuit further comprises a first diode connected between the circuit node and the therapy node in parallel with the capacitor for passing the flow of the charge generated by the defibrillator for application to the therapy segment in a forward direction. 
 
     
     
       4. The electrode of  claim 3 :
 wherein the first combination circuit further comprises a second diode connected between the circuit node and the therapy node in parallel with the capacitor for passing the flow of the charge generated by the defibrillator for application to the therapy segment in a reverse direction. 
 
     
     
       5. The electrode of  claim 1 :
 wherein the monitoring segment is connected to a first end of a monitoring electrode lead, the point of connection of the monitoring segment to the first end of the monitoring electrode lead defining the monitoring node, the monitoring electrode lead connected at a second end to a first end of the wire lead, the point of connection of the monitoring segment lead to the wire lead defining the circuit node. 
 
     
     
       6. The electrode of  claim 1 :
 wherein the therapy segment is connected to a first end of a therapy electrode lead, the point of connection of the therapy segment to the first end of the therapy electrode lead defining the therapy node, the therapy electrode lead connected at a second end to a second end of the capacitor. 
 
     
     
       7. The electrode of  claim 1 :
 wherein the adapter is configured to pass ECG signals from the monitoring segment for use by the defibrillator and to pass a charge generated by the defibrillator for application to the therapy segment. 
 
     
     
       8. The electrode of  claim 1 :
 wherein the defibrillator further comprises a defibrillator processor configured to control use of the ECG signals from the monitoring segment by the defibrillator and when an electrical charge is applied to a defibrillation port of the defibrillator for defibrillating the patient. 
 
     
     
       9. The electrode of  claim 8 :
 wherein the defibrillator further includes a memory unit including instructions for the defibrillator processor to execute for the control of the use of the ECG signals from the monitoring segment by the defibrillator and when the electrical charge is applied to the defibrillation port of the defibrillator for defibrillating the patient. 
 
     
     
       10. The electrode of  claim 9 :
 wherein the use of the ECG signals from the monitoring segment controlled by the defibrillator processor is display of the ECG signals on a display. 
 
     
     
       11. The electrode of  claim 10 :
 wherein the display on which the ECG signals from the monitoring segment is displayed by the defibrillator processor is a display on the defibrillator. 
 
     
     
       12. The electrode of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second pad for contact with the patient, the second pad including a monitoring segment for receiving an ECG of the patient and defining a monitoring node, the second pad further including a therapy segment for delivering a charge to the patient from the defibrillator, the therapy segment electrically insulated from the monitoring segment, the therapy segment defining a therapy node; and 
 a second lead coupling the adapter to the second pad. 
 
     
     
       13. The electrode of  claim 12  wherein the second pad further comprises:
 a second combination circuit including a circuit node electrically coupled to the adapter, the circuit node further coupled to the monitoring node of the second pad and to the therapy node of the second pad, the coupling to the therapy node including a capacitor. 
 
     
     
       14. An electrode for use with an external defibrillator for a patient, comprising:
 a first pad including a monitoring segment for receiving an ECG of the patient and defining a monitoring node, the first pad further including a therapy segment for delivering a charge to the patient from the defibrillator, the therapy segment electrically insulated from the monitoring segment, the therapy segment defining a therapy node; 
 an adapter for coupling to the defibrillator; and 
 a first combination circuit including a circuit node electrically coupled to the adapter, the circuit node further coupled to the monitoring node and to the therapy node, the coupling to the therapy node including a capacitor; 
 wherein the monitoring segment further comprises:
 a housing; 
 an electrode element received by the housing; 
 a gel received by the housing against the electrode element; 
 a spiked frame received by the housing against the gel, the spiked frame defining one or more spikes along an outwardly facing side of the spiked frame, the gel received by the housing covering the outwardly facing side of the spiked frame; 
 a spring material disposed between the housing and the spiked frame, the spring material connecting the housing to the spiked frame; 
 a trigger mechanism connected to the spiked frame for causing the spiked frame to extend outwardly from the housing against force of the spring on activation of the trigger mechanism to cause the one or more spikes to at least partially puncture the skin of the patient; and 
 wherein the one or more spikes are retracted back towards the housing on release of the trigger mechanism, enabling the gel to provide an electrolytic interface between the punctured skin of the patient and the electrode element. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The electrode of  claim 14  wherein the spring is provided by an insulator providing the electrical insulating of the therapy segment from the monitoring segment. 
     
     
       16. The electrode of  claim 14  wherein the spiked frame is configured for attachment to the housing. 
     
     
       17. The electrode of  claim 14  wherein the therapy segment is in the shape of an annulus defining a first opening for receiving an insulator providing the electrical insulating of the therapy segment from the monitoring segment, the insulator defining a second opening for receiving the monitoring segment. 
     
     
       18. The electrode of  claim 17  wherein:
 the insulator is a substrate; 
 the trigger mechanism is configured in the shape of a shell including a closed side and an open side, the shell configured for attachment along a first side of the insulator substrate, 
 the housing including an open side and a closed side, the closed side of the housing extending through the second opening of the insulator, the housing configured for attachment along a second side of the insulator substrate, the housing defining a third opening; 
 the electrode element including a monitor segment wire lead attached thereto received by the housing, the electrode element including a first side and a second side, the second side defining a post for extending through the third opening of the housing; 
 the gel received by the housing against the first side of the electrode element; 
 the spiked frame received by the housing against the gel configured for attachment to the insulator substrate; 
 wherein the activation of the trigger mechanism is an application of a force to the shell; 
 wherein the outward movement of the spiked frame applying a bias force against the insulator; and 
 wherein the release of the trigger mechanism relaxes the force applied to the shell. 
 
     
     
       19. A defibrillator system comprising:
 a defibrillator including:
 an energy storage device for storing an electrical charge; 
 a defibrillation and monitoring port; 
 a defibrillator processor configured to control use of ECG signals from a patient and when an electrical charge is applied to the patient through the defibrillation and monitoring port of the defibrillator; and 
 
 an electrode for use with an external defibrillator for a patient, comprising:
 a first pad including a monitoring segment for receiving the ECG signals from the patient and defining a monitoring node, the first pad further including a therapy segment for delivering the charge to the patient from the defibrillator, the therapy segment electrically insulated from the monitoring segment, the therapy segment defining a therapy node; 
 an adapter for coupling to the defibrillator; and 
 a first combination circuit including a circuit node electrically coupled to the adapter, the circuit node further coupled to the monitoring node and to the therapy node, the coupling to the therapy node including a capacitor; and 
 a wire lead connected between the circuit node of the first combination circuit and the adaptor, the wire lead providing a single communication channel between the defibrillator and the electrode for transmission of both the ECG of the patient from the monitoring segment and the charge from the defibrillator to the therapy segment. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 :
 wherein the first combination circuit further comprises a resistor connected between the circuit node and the monitoring node for limiting the current flow of the charge generated by the defibrillator across the resistor. 
 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 19 :
 wherein the first combination circuit further comprises a first diode connected between the circuit node and the therapy node in parallel with the capacitor for passing the flow of the charge generated by the defibrillator for application to the therapy segment in a forward direction. 
 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 21 :
 wherein the first combination circuit further comprises a second diode connected between the circuit node and the therapy node in parallel with the capacitor for passing the flow of the charge generated by the defibrillator for application to the therapy segment in a reverse direction. 
 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 19 :
 wherein the adapter is configured to adapt ECG signals detected by the monitoring segment for use by the defibrillator and to adapt a charge generated by the defibrillator for application to the therapy segment. 
 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 19  further comprising:
 a second pad for contact with the patient, the second pad including a monitoring segment for receiving an ECG of the patient and defining a monitoring node, the second pad further including a therapy segment for delivering a charge to the patient from the defibrillator, the therapy segment electrically insulated from the monitoring segment, the therapy segment defining a therapy node; and 
 a lead coupling the adapter to the second pad. 
 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 24  further comprising:
 a second combination circuit including a circuit node electrically coupled to the adapter, the circuit node further coupled to the monitoring node of the second pad and to the therapy node of the second pad, the second combination circuit further including a capacitor coupled between the circuit node and the therapy node of the second pad. 
 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 19  wherein the charge delivered by the therapy segment to the patient from the defibrillator is a defibrillation charge. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 19  wherein the charge delivered by the therapy segment to the patient from the defibrillator is a pacing pulse. 
     
     
       28. An electrode for use with an external defibrillator for a patient, comprising:
 a first pad including a monitoring segment for receiving an ECG of the patient and a therapy segment for delivering a charge to the patient from the defibrillator, the therapy segment electrically insulated from the monitoring segment; 
 an adapter for coupling to the defibrillator; and 
 a first combination circuit including a circuit node electrically coupled to the adapter, a monitoring node electrically coupled to the monitoring segment of the first pad of the electrode, and a therapy node electrically coupled to the therapy segment of the first pad of the electrode, the first combination circuit further including a capacitor coupled between the circuit node and the therapy node; wherein 
 a wire lead couples the circuit node of the first combination circuit to the adaptor, the wire lead providing a single communication channel between the defibrillator and the electrode for transmission of both the ECG of the patient from the monitoring segment and the charge from the defibrillator to the therapy segment. 
 
     
     
       29. The electrode of  claim 28 :
 wherein the first combination circuit further comprises a resistor connected between the circuit node and the monitoring node for limiting the current flow of the ECG signal across the resister. 
 
     
     
       30. The electrode of  claim 28 :
 wherein the first combination circuit further comprises a first diode connected between the circuit node and the therapy node in parallel with the capacitor for passing the flow of the charge generated by the defibrillator for application to the therapy segment in a forward direction; and a second diode connected between the circuit node and the therapy node in parallel with the capacitor for passing the flow of the charge generated by the defibrillator for application to the therapy segment in a reverse direction. 
 
     
     
       31. An electrode for use with an external defibrillator for a patient, comprising:
 a first combination circuit including a circuit node electrically coupled to an adapter for coupling to the defibrillator, the circuit node further coupled to a monitoring node defined by a monitoring segment of a first pad of the electrode and to a therapy node defined by a therapy segment of the first pad of the electrode, the therapy segment being electrically insulated from the monitoring segment, the first combination circuit further including a passive component coupled between the circuit node and the therapy node; wherein 
 a wire lead couples the circuit node of the first combination circuit to the adaptor, the wire lead providing a single communication channel between the defibrillator and the electrode for transmission of both an ECG of the patient from the monitoring segment and a charge from the defibrillator to the therapy segment. 
 
     
     
       32. An electrode system for use with an external defibrillator for a patient, comprising: at least one pad including a monitoring segment for receiving an ECG of the patient and defining a monitoring node, the first pad further including a therapy segment for delivering a charge to the patient from the defibrillator, the therapy segment electrically insulated from the monitoring segment, the therapy segment defining a therapy node; and an adapter for coupling the monitoring segment and the therapy segment of the at least one pad to a single conductor for connection to the defibrillator; wherein
 a wire lead couples the monitoring segment and the therapy segment of the at least one pad to the adaptor, the wire lead providing a single communication channel between the defibrillator and the at least one pad for transmission of both an ECG of the patient from the monitoring segment and a charge from the defibrillator to the therapy segment. 
 
     
     
       33. The electrode system in  claim 32 , wherein the at least one pad includes two pads. 
     
     
       34. The defibrillation system of  claim 19 :
 wherein, the defibrillator system routes the electrical charge applied to the patient to the therapy segment and receives the ECG signal from the patient from the monitoring segment. 
 
     
     
       35. The defibrillation system of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the defibrillator monitors the impedance of the patient, and 
 the impedance of the patient is monitored through the therapy segment of the electrode. 
 
     
     
       36. A defibrillator system comprising:
 a defibrillator including:
 an energy storage device for storing an electrical charge; 
 a defibrillation and monitoring port; 
 a defibrillator processor configured to control use of ECG signals from a patient and when an electrical charge is applied to the patient through the defibrillation and monitoring port of the defibrillator; and 
 an electrode for use with an external defibrillator for a patient, comprising:
 a first pad including a monitoring segment for receiving the ECG signals from the patient and defining a monitoring node, the first pad further including a therapy segment for delivering the charge to the patient from the defibrillator, the therapy segment electrically insulated from the monitoring segment, the therapy segment defining a therapy node; 
 an adapter for coupling to the defibrillator; and 
 a first combination circuit including a circuit node electrically coupled to the adapter, the circuit node further coupled to the monitoring node and to the therapy node, the coupling to the therapy node including a capacitor; 
 
 
 wherein the monitoring segment comprises:
 a housing; 
 an electrode element received by the housing; 
 a gel received by the housing against a side of the electrode element; 
 a spiked frame received by the housing against the gel, the spiked frame defining one or more spikes along an outwardly facing side of the spiked frame, the gel received by the housing covering the outwardly facing side of the spiked frame; 
 a spring material disposed between the housing and the spiked frame, the spring material connecting the housing to the spiked frame; 
 a trigger mechanism connected to the spiked frame for causing the spiked frame to extend outwardly from the housing against the force of the spring on activation of the trigger mechanism to cause the one or more spikes to puncture the skin of the patient; and 
 
 wherein the one or more spikes are retracted towards the housing on release of the trigger mechanism, enabling the gel to provide an electrolytic interface between the punctured skin of the patient and the electrode element.